Reading, reviewing and sharing the love for our favourite books for both adults and children

The Tattooist of Auschwitz: based on the heart-breaking true story of love and survival by Heather Morris

Heart-breaking – a tale of love and survival amidst the horrors of AuschwitzHuman – the real story behind one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust – the blue numbers tattooed on prisoners’ armsInspirational – the very best of humanity in the very worst of circumstancesUnforgettable – a story untold for over seventy years is finally sharedLife-affirming – one man’s determination to survive and live a full life with the woman he lovedFully verified – Lale Sokolov’s background and story has been fact-checked against all available documentary evidence

The Story

The Tattooist of Auschwitz is based on the true story of Lale and Gita Sokolov, two Slovakian Jews, who survived Auschwitz and eventually made their home in Australia. In that terrible place, Lale was given the job of tattooing the prisoners marked for survival – literally scratching numbers into his fellow victims’ arms in indelible ink to create what would become one of the most potent symbols of the Holocaust. Lale used the infinitesimal freedom of movement that this position awarded him to exchange jewels and money taken from murdered Jews for food to keep others alive. If he had been caught he would have been killed; many owed him their survival.

There have been many books about the Holocaust – and there will be many more. What makes this one so memorable is Lale Sokolov’s incredible zest for life. He understood exactly what was in store for him and his fellow prisoners and he was determined to survive – not just to survive, but to leave the camp with his dignity and integrity intact, to live his life to the full. Terrible though this story is, it is also a story of hope and of courage. It is also – almost unbelievably – a love story. Waiting in line to be tattooed, terrified and shaking, was a young girl. For Lale – a dandy, a jack-the-lad, a bit of a chancer – it was love at first sight and he determined not only to survive himself, but to ensure that Gita did, too. His story – their story – will make you weep, but you will also find it uplifting. It shows the very best of humanity in the very worst of circumstances.

Like many survivors, Lale and Gita told few people their story after the war. They eventually made their way to Australia, where they raised a son and had a successful life. But when Gita died, Lale felt he could no longer carry the burden of their past alone. He chose to tell his story.

My Review

I finished reading this yesterday after reading in 2 straight sittings, it is a powerful and compelling read. I had already read some amazing reviews about this book and they piqued my interest and the book did not disappoint.

Based on a true account of the amazingly courageous Lale and his time in the Auschwitz Concentration Camp. This book is thought provoking, it draws you in as you get to know Lale and how he adapts to survive and the relationships he develops with those around him. It reflects on love, loss and the horrors experienced first hand for those in the Concentration Camps during this time. The style in which it is written allows you to understand Lale and see how and why he made the decision to survive and undertake the task of tattooing the numbers onto those arriving to the Auschwitz Camp.

This honest reflection shows how despite horrendous living conditions and malnutrition people of different nationalities and religions developed relationships trying to hold on to their humanity in the hope that they may walk again outside the confines of the electric fences.

This has been one of my top reads for 2017 and I hope it gains the recognition it deserves as it has been written with the utmost respect to the memory of Lale and Gita.